State Parks - False Cape State Park - Park Interpreter - Open Until Filled

Virginia State Parks; State Center (IA); On-site; USD 18,000 - 21,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free parking

Free park admission

Discounted camping

Overnight stay discounts

Job summary

Virginia State Parks seeks a Park Interpreter at False Cape State Park to plan, organize and present educational programs that highlight the park's natural, historical, and cultural resources.

You will work with volunteers and community partners, provide front-line customer service, lead kayak and tram tours, and support park operations while complying with background checks and eligibility verification.

Qualifications

• Experience organizing nature, culture, and history programs for diverse audiences.
• Strong communication and customer service skills.
• Ability to engage the public with informative talks.
• Friendly, outgoing demeanor and ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Must possess a valid Driver's License and be able to work weekends, nights, and holidays.

Responsibilities

• Plan, organize, market, and present programming that enhances guest experiences.
• Provide programming for park ecosystems and resources.
• Help run tram tours weekly with volunteers and staff.
• Lead kayak tours alongside park leadership.
• Serve as front-line customer service for visitors.
• Supervise volunteers in field operations.
• Collaborate with community partners and organizations.
• Occasional substitute as Contact Ranger.
• Perform manual labor outdoors in all weather, lifting up to 40 lbs.

Skills

Communication

Customer service

Public speaking

Program planning

Teamwork

Job description

The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) is hiring! Join us in preserving what people care about most – access to the outdoors, natural habitats, open spaces, clean water, and safe infrastructure.

Serving a diverse commonwealth rich in nature and culture, the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation touches all Virginians’ lives.

Full-time (salaried) employment offers

• A choice of healthcare plans.
• Vacation, family, personal and sick leave.
• A retirement plan.
• A sickness and disability plan.
• Employer-paid life insurance.
• Deferred compensation with employer match.

Certain positions require a criminal background check, a conflict of interest financial statement or both. Law-enforcement positions require a fingerprint-based FBI investigation. DCR is an EEO/AA/ADA Employer.

E-Verify Notice: After accepting employment, all new hires must complete an I-9 form and present documentation of their identity and eligibility to work in the United States. Executive branch agencies are required to use the E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.

Park Interpreter

State Parks - False Cape State Park

Open Until Filled

Hourly Rate: $13.75

Job Summary

This position will plan, organize and conduct Park interpretive and educational programs that provide a quality and safe recreational experience for state park guests. Provide meaningful educational opportunities and experiences for park guests by interpreting the significance of the park's natural/historical/and cultural resources. This position will also serve to ensure proper online records are kept in relation to program and visitor center attendance. As a Park Interpreter, position will communicate and work closely with volunteers, community partners, and the general public who visit False Cape State Park.

Key Duties And Responsibilities

• Plan, organize, market, and present programming of the park that enhances, entertains, and educates the park guests to the cultural, historical, and natural resources found at and near the park.
• Provide specific programming for False Cape State Park, dealing with the unique ecosystems of the Atlantic Ocean, Back Bay, the maritime forest and the native flora and fauna found in the area.
• Help run the tram tours on weekly basis, coordinating with volunteers and Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge staff to ensure smooth operations and consistent quality.
• Responsible for planning and leading kayak tours for the park, alongside the Chief Ranger of Visitor Experience.
• Provide regularly scheduled programs utilizing self-knowledge and volunteers through the park on a variety of topics.
• Act as a front-line customer service representative for the park.
• Supervise volunteer work directly in the field, including trail work, programming, and other park improvement projects.
• Support the park’s community partners and other community organizations.
• As needed subsitute as the Contact Ranger.
• Perform manual labor outdoors in all weather conditions, including frequent walking, bending, standing and lifting up to 40 lbs, unassisted.

Minimum Qualifications

• Experience organizing and conducting nature, culture, and history programs for all ages.
• Strong communication and customer service skills.
• Experience interacting with the public and providing informative and engaging talks.
• Must demonstrate a friendly, outgoing demeanor and be able to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• Experience swimming in a coastal body of water.
• Must possess a valid Driver's License.
• Required to work various shifts to include weekends, nights, and holidays.

Additional Considerations

• Experience working in a park or similar setting.
• Experience with biology, history, parks and recreation, or wildlife studies, particularly that of marine and coastal ecosystems.
• Experience with natural or historical interpretation.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills to be able to respond to emails, phone calls, and interact with the public professionally.
• Knowledge and ability to identify common flora and fauna of the park and surrounding area.

Special Instructions

• Background Check: Employment in all Virginia State Parks positions is contingent upon satisfactory completion of a criminal history background check.
• Employment Eligibility: Selected candidates must complete the I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification Form. DCR participates in E-Verify.
• Driver’s License Requirement: A valid State Driver's License is required if operating a state or personal vehicle for agency business.
• Work Requirements: Wage/seasonal positions are not eligible for benefits and are limited to 1,500 hours from May 1 to April 30.

DCR encourages applications from minorities, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and those with experience with the National Park Service or the federal government. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer (EEO/AA/TT).

Explore Virginia State Parks — On Us!

As a DCR employee, you’ll enjoy exclusive access to the natural beauty and outdoor experiences that make Virginia’s State Parks extraordinary — with free admission, special discounts, and perks that turn every visit into something memorable.

Employee Benefits Include

• Free parking and admission to all Virginia State Parks.
• Overnight stay discounts for DCR classified, retired, and wage staff (after six months of service):
  • Free camping outside the Memorial Day to Labor Day season for sites accommodating up to six people.
  • Free Sunday-Thursday camping (excluding the night before holidays) during the Memorial Day-Labor Day period.
  • 50% ff cabins (up to three bedrooms) outside the Memorial Day-Labor Day season for up to 14 nights. Two-night minimum required. Bunkhouses, camping cabins, and yurts are included; one-night yurt stays receive a 25% discount.

Join us and make Virginia’s great outdoors part of your life — it’s one of the many ways we show our appreciation for the people who make DCR’s mission possible!